To New Beginnings
“Boost.” Bell mumbled as suddenly stood face to face with this never before seen monster. A man eating flower monster to be exact. He twirls his new scythe, the weapon gleaming under the sun, its sleek blade curving in a menacing arc.
In Bell’s eyes, the weapon was beautiful, yet had a sense of deadliness. With one slash, Bell could dismembered just about any part of the human body. As it shone its crimson rays, Bell turned his attention back onto the matter at hand. He was but a decoy in this situation. He was not strong enough to kill the monster, but perhaps Lefiya could. All he had to do was act as bait.
Which didn’t seemed that hard as he had drew the attention of these monsters, nonexistent eyes tracking his every movement.
Bell flew around the monsters, dodging every attempt they made to sneer him by their rather strong vines. However, thankfully, he had the speed to just barely miss them. ‘It looks like my training is paying off.’ Bell thought as he saw three vines appeared out of the corner of his eye. He smirked as he twisted and turned his body around the vines. He tried to slash them off, but they proved too strong for even his blade.
Making a “tch” noise, Bell narrowed his eyes as he saw one of the monsters twist its body and used it as a battering ram. Its intended target was clear, and Bell realized far too late, leaving him no choice but to blocked it. As Bell brought up his scythe he braced himself for the heavy impact as Metal went up against a purplish-greenish flesh.
"!!"
However, Bell would regret that decision almost immediately as when he blocked the monster, he felt a jarring sensation as the force of the impact traveled through his arms, shoulders, and body.
The weight of it making his muscles tense up as it sent him flying onto the roof of a building. The two monsters growled as they charged straight for him, ignoring their other opponents in favor of the rabbit. As Bell regained his barring, he groaned as he could feel the soreness of his muscles. ‘I don’t think I can survive another direct blow.’ Bell realized as he tried to stand up, only to fall on one knee almost immediately.
He looked up and saw that the two plant monsters were itching their way closer and closer to him, intending on finishing him off.
"Hey! Leave him alone."
"Back Off!"
Luckily, the two Amazon warriors from before had saw what he did and took over once one of them realized that Bell didn't have the strength anymore to fight. Letting go of his scythe, he watched in fascination as the scythe slowly fizzled out.
'So I can't let go of when I bring it here...good to know that now.' Bell thought as he stood up and saw as a third plant monster had appeared, drawn by Bell releasing a tremendous amount of magic subconsciously. "...I'm really starting to get annoyed by these things." Bell mumbled as he tried to stand up, his legs shaking as he stood straight up.
However, whether it was the god's intervention or pure luck, a golden/green blur suddenly appeared, heading straight for the third monster. The third plant monster seem to lose interest in him, it's attention turning to the blur. It would look like he didn’t have any monsters on him any more.
Bell sighed in relief, rubbing his aching hands. ‘The monster is tougher than I originally imagined it was…they were giving Level 5’s trouble.’ Bell thought as he stood on his feet, some of his pervious strength returning, but his legs were still shaking. It wasn't as bad a couple minutes before, but he could still feel the soreness.
Looking at the battle, Bell could see that the situation was mostly under control as he could feel the magic in the air suddenly changed. This made Bell smiled as he looked past the amazons, the golden blur, and saw Lefiya, her beautiful form in all its glory, as a line of magic circled around her. It looked like this was the end, his role as bait having been fulfilled.
’I should get going now.’ Bell thought as he made to move, only to see something that caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a small child hiding behind one of the abandoned stands. Bell saw that the child was a girl and appeared to be a catgirl. She looked terrified, which Bell was made aware to by the little one’s frame shaking erratically.
As he gazed at the frightened child, he felt something within scream, screaming at him to protect the child no matter the cost.
Before he could even think, Bell muttered, "Boost". Without fail, fire sprouted from the soles of his shoes as he, once more, dash forward towards the girl, ignoring his body’s immediate protests at such an action.
Bell dodged the plant monster's vines and grabbed the girl tightly just as one of the monsters flattened the area where the stand and girl were.
Once he felt the child was secured in his arms, Bell flew away from the battle. Ignoring the feeling that someone was watching him as he did so.
As he flew, he made sure to whisper gently words to the child, his intent was to keep her calm into they were far away from any intermediate danger. He intended on finding the girl's parent when he spotted something...no, someone.
Bell could easily make out the elven ears, alongside their porcelain-like skin. They had long black hair and were wearing a frilled white dress with a white coat with light blue edges over it.
All in all, the elf look undeniably attractive to Bell, like all others of their race do.
However, it is what the elf was doing that drew his suspicions. The elf was perched on a rooftop, the wind's gently breeze moving parts of her attire back and forth.
She was looking at the battle between the Loki Familia and the plant monsters. Her eyes were steel cold, no sign of warmth within them. Instead, Bell could see an abyss.
However, instead of backing off like a sane person would, Bell felt inclined to move closer to her. Bell shifted the child carefully so that he was carrying her piggyback style.
Once he was sure she was secured, Bell slowly dropped down towards the roof the elf was on, his swords making a clunking sound that made the elf's ear's twitch. The elf turned around and Bell's eyes meet her crimson ones.
"!!!!!"
Bell found himself unable to tear his gaze away. The elf’s crimson eyes were pulling him, almost like the feeling he had when he stared at Lefiya. But it wasn’t that exactly feeling, but a feeling close to it.
'Really now...again?' Bell inwardly sighed, but on the outside he showed the elf girl a smile. The elf girl raised any eyebrow before her eyes widen in shock? anger? remorse?
Bell didn't know as her expression kept changing to fast for him to get a proper read on her. Before Bell could speak, the elf girl turned away from. This made his heart burn a little, but that was nothing comparing to the searing pain he felt as the elf girl jumped away, getting out of his line of sight.
"Damm, I need to find out what the heck's going on...this ain't normal." Bell mumbled as he pulled the black gloves off his hand and watched in silent horror as his black arms started to pulse with a soft mixture of red and orange.
'Oh boy...Auntie isn't going to be happy.' Bell chuckled, feeling a sense of danger loom over him. It was broken when the girl on his back twitch, drawing Bell's attention as he smiled. "Let's go little one, I'll help find your parents." With this goal in mind, Bell jumped away, going in the opposite direction the elf girl went.
'As much as I would like to follow after her..." Bell smirked, his eyes glowing a soft hume.
"I have a feeling we will meet again.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After Bell Left
Caster and Archer watched as Lefiya casted her spell and froze the monsters in their tracks. Alfia could respect the young mage’s skill. However, that is where it ends for her as she remembers when Bell told her after coming back home a bit earlier than they had originally planned. She did not want to believe it at first, thinking it was a cruel act of fate. But the more he described, the more that Alfia realized she couldn’t simply told him to ignore it.
What Bell described to her was reminiscent of what Meteria told her when she first met the love of her life. She described as feeling like a piece of your heart you didn’t know was missing appeared and has made your heart whole again.
“But to think it would appear in him too. Sister, I wish to believe that he got more from you but that would be a lie. He takes after the both of you.” Alfia softy spoke, Archer cracking her head in Caster’s decision. She was getting interesting information on her master parents. Based on the ramblings that Alfia often does when she thinks she’s alone, Bell had two woman as his parents, which was strange.
How did two woman end up having a child together? It was uncanny, certainly in this time it is. And as much as Archer wanted to ask, she chose to value not only her master’s privacy, but also’s Alfia as well. Sure, their relationship was weird right now, but Alfia was warming up to her. That is something to be thankful for.
”Caster, did you managed to buy a house when you left this morning?” Archer asked, curious of whether she did or didn’t. This question was a blessing in disguise as it gave her a distraction from the raging storm in her head.
”Yes, I managed to find a suitable house for the Familia. Tomorrow, I will show the house after getting the key from the guild.” Caster said, to which Archer hummed.
“I’ll be honest, I didn’t think you follow through with your plan on getting a new house. Not after you told us that the church was a place your sister used to frequent to.”
”I…I realized that I can’t live in the memories of when my sister was alive. That time has long since past. I have a responsibility to look after her son, after failing to honor a promise I made when I was alive. If doing this, make Bell’s journey much more memorable, than I am willing to do it. My purpose? Act as my nephew’s vanguard, until the time comes for him to take lead.”
”…I see. Well then, as my honor as heroic spirit, I will help in this endeavor. I won’t let you shoulder that burden alone.”
”Heh…thanks.”
Caster and Archer’s conversation ended right there, the two spirits settling into a silent moment. Thoughts of the future were on their mind, but for now, they stood in the present.
Next Day, West Side of Orario
This…this will be our home from now on?" Bell asked.
It was the morning after the disastrous Monsterphilia. Hestia and her Familia plus Lily arrived at the building that Caster had sought out after and spent around Ten Million.
The house for the Hestia Familia has Orario architecture with blended traditional elements with the unique needs of the family in mind. A compact yet functional structure to house eight members, each with their own space.
“My, to think you managed to find a house like this.” Hestia said in a genuine tone. Bell and Lily eyes were widen, while Archer nodded with a smile on her face.
On the outside, the house features a sturdy, multi-level stone foundation, with cobblestone streets and buildings that have a certain charm. The exterior walls were made of some light gray stones with intricate carvings depicting symbols that Bell and Lily haven’t seen before.
These cravings were scattered across the surface. Large wooden beams stretch across the building, lending it a rustic, timeless quality, and giving it a sense of openness and natural beauty. There anre arched windows, allowing plenty of light to fill the space while providing a touch of elegance. Above the main entrance was a large wooden door with iron fittings.
”To think this is our home from now on.” Bell said as he read the description of the house from the paper Alfia was given to by the guild.
The paper says that the first thing you’d notice is a large, common room. This central space has a fireplace, a plaque that is supposed to hold the symbol of Hestia’s role as a goddess. Once she did that, it would ensure warmth and comfort for the Familia.
The room is filled with plush couches and some wooden chairs, with woven tapestries and a soft rug on the floor, offering a homely, cozy feeling.
Next to the common room was a kitchen, open and functional, with stone countertops, a large hearth, and wooden cabinetry. The kitchen serve as both a place for food preparation and as a gathering space where everyone can come together and enjoy meals.
Large clay pots and cooking utensils are neatly organized, with a dedicated area for growing either herbs or spices.
There is an attached dining room with a long wooden table, large enough to accommodate all the members of the familia and more if they get more members. A place where they could sit down and share meals and stories.
Upstairs would house the individual rooms for the members. Each bedroom is simple but comfortable, with a soft bed, a wooden dresser, and a small writing desk. The walls can be decorated with personal items, small keepsakes from their journeys.
The rooms would vary in size, with the largest one dedicated to Alfia as she is the acting Captain of the Familia. While Hestia would take over the smaller one. She doesn’t have an official position yet, but she will figure it out when the time comes.
Goddess Hestia’s room would have ornate, but not excessive, decoration, with a softer color palette and symbols of her divine flame seen throughout it. The room has a large window with a view of the city, and soft curtains that catch the breeze.
There is a small on the first floor library, where family members could retreat to study or reflect. The walls could be lined with shelves of books, scrolls, and magic books. A few comfortable chairs are placed around a low wooden table for group discussions or quiet moments of silence.
A training space is also included with the house. It is a small, open area with padded mats and weapons storage. This would allow Bell and Lily to practice and hone their combat skills when they’re not dungeon diving.
Bell couldn’t help but shiver at that as he could practically imagine his aunt and Archer abusing it as they pound Lily and him into the ground.
As an extra touch, the house had an outdoor garden, with a fire pit at its center. It would add tranquility and peace to the home. Especially with Hestia’a connection to the divine flame.
Once Hestia made the Familia’s symbol, it would be central to the courtyard, with a small fire altar to honor it every day.
The space would offer a place for the family to bond, eat together, or simply unwind under the stars.
Once Bell finished reading, he let loose a goofy smile as he handed it to Lily. Caster faked coughed and got everyone’s attention.
“Goddess Hestia and I will take the offices. The three of you can decide between the rest."
"I get my own office…" Hestia happily said with stars in her eyes.
"So you're the ones who bought this house?" A woman’s voice called out.
A young woman with crimson hair, wearing an eyepatch came out from the side of the house.
"Oh, Hephaestus!" Hestia called out. "Thanks for the hard work."
"I didn’t believe it at first, Hestia. But once I saw your child’s name, I knew I couldn’t disillusion myself anymore." The goddess spoke with a smirk.
"To think you'd be moving up in the world so quickly. I remember as if it was yesterday, I gave you the church to form some semblance of a living space. But look at you now, upgrading to a much nicer living space. How do you do it?”
"Haha! It's because of my Familia! They are so amazing!" Hestia said as she put her hands on her hips as Bell bowed toward the Smith Goddess.
"That they are." Hephaestus muttered as her gaze lingered on Caster, who returned that look with a smirk of her own.
"Anyway, everything should be in order. If you need something tweaked or changed, let me know and we'll make the appropriate changes."
"Your work is much appreciated, Goddess Hephaestus." Caster pause before continuing.
"Has the guild made the payment?"
"Yes, every last Valis was transferred, just as we finished. Thank you for giving my children work besides smithing. I love their passion for it, but they need to understand when to take a break and reciprocate every once in a while.” While she did liked the effort put into their works, she would prefer if they didn’t stay up for weeks on end trying to complete a single project. If her smiths don’t get the required rest, then the quality of their work diminishes significantly.
"I agree with that statement, Goddess. Working to your fullest is good and all, but you also need to take of yourself and rest when your body is at its limit." Archer said. Hephaestus smiled at Archer, nodding her head, which showed that she agreed with Archer.
"I can see some semblance of order within your Familia, Hestia." Hephaestus said with a smirk.
Bell and Lily chuckled while Caster smirk would deepen, with Hestia sighing. She would never admit, but she fears her children would all end turning into some type of battle junkies.
She hoped that wasn’t the case. She really hope that wasn’t the case.
After saying goodbye to the crimson goddess, the group of five entered their new house.
Once inside, the five of them spent some time exploring their new home, checking if the lights would turn on or if any of the wooden boards would break without warning.
"Just like the paper said, all the rooms, aside from the rooms with a connected office, are the same size with the same furniture.” Archer said when they reconvened in the dining room with her behind the kitchen counter already at work preparing a meal. She wouldn’t let the skills Archer taught her go to waste.
"So who is getting which office?" Bell asked.
"As said in the paper, Caster will be taking the bigger office." Hestia said immediately, to no one’s surprise. But Hestia still felt the need to add to her point. "I don't really have anything to work on since I'll probably end up leaving most things dungeon related to you anyway. I'll take the smaller one and turn into something worthwhile.” Hestia clarified.
"Alright then." Caster said. "I will do my best to make good use of it.” To her reply, Hestia smiled as she patted the white hair spirit on her back.
"Thank you, my silence~"
"…I’ll bury you."
Hestia simply giggled, no longer affected by the woman’s threats as Caster turned her head away. This was so no one could see the redness of her cheeks.
"Auntie?" Bell spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. “Since we got a new place, do you think I can try calling another servant?"
Caster shocked her head before looking at Bell. He wasn’t surprised to hear him speaking about it so openly as she turned toward Lily, who met her eyes once before glancing to the side.
"I’m not surprise you told her." Caster said with a sigh. "Well no matter. My answer is yes."
"Really?" Bell asked with a smile.
"Yes." Alfia said.
"Your Magic Status is growing far faster than others like you. However, remember that you not only use your magic to anchor us to this world, you use it to fuel our strength in battle.
It is why I have you fight alone most of the time with little to no assistance. There could be an enemy strong enough to force Archer or myself into a serious fight, your body could become a corpse in a second. Knowing all this, are you sure that you want to summon another one?” Alfia’s words were true in the regard that Bell could suffer if any of his servants are pushed to the limit.
While she did doubt such a foe exists, one can never be too certain and overconfident. But as she suspected, her nephew wanted to take up another servant.
”I do, I want to summon more heroes to our side. I want them to join our Familia, to be apart of something special.” Bell’s words seem to resonate within Caster and Archer as they both bowed their head. Hestia, who was off to side, smirked as she could feel the fire within her first child burn as bright as the sun. Lily wasn’t to far off as Hestia could feel just the briefest of flame burn within her.
”Very well, Archer, can you get the magic circle ready.” Caster asked as she had no clue where to even start. “Alright, I’ll shall lay it on the alter. Is that okay?”
”Yes, that shall suffice for now. Come along now, Bell. It is time for you to summon another.”
”Alright!”